Steve Rothaus
Click here to ask me a question, which I'll answer online.
Miami Herald staff writer Steve Rothaus covers gay and lesbian issues in South Florida. Steve joined The Herald in 1985, while a journalism major at Florida International University. He came out at work in 1987 and served five years as a board member of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA). He founded the association's Newsroom Outreach Project and traveled the country visiting newspapers, television stations and college campuses to discuss gay news coverage and workplace issues. Steve won the 1998 GLAAD Media Award for outstanding newspaper columnist.
Steve and public relations executive Ric Katz, partners since 1985, live in Miami.
From BBC News:
Two "gay" male penguins have hatched a chick and are now rearing it as its adoptive parents, says a German zoo.
The zoo, in Bremerhaven, northern Germany, says the adult males - Z and Vielpunkt - were given an egg which was rejected by its biological parents.
It says the couple are now happily rearing the chick, said to have reached four weeks old.
News release from Care Resource, South Florida’s largest AIDS/HIV service agency:
Care Resource announced today that Anthony Hernandez, Director of Human Resources for Masada Health Division of Jewish Community Services, was appointed to Care Resource's Board of Directors. "Anthony brings an important prospective and expertise to the board. Human Resource is a complex and ever changing field. We are pleased to have him lend his volunteer time, experience and skills to the agency," stated Rick Siclari, Executive Director for Care Resource.
Upon graduation, Mr. Hernandez was recruited through a college recruitment internship at Florida Power and Light and was quickly positioned as Human Resources Recruiter and Consultant for their Customer Relations business unit. In this role Mr. Hernandez was exposed to the processes and procedures in the Human Resource field and focused on employee moral and customer service.
Mr. Hernandez is currently pursuing his MBA at Columbia University through their interactive online program; he will receive his degree in the summer of 2011. Mr. Hernandez has participated for the last seven years as an integral and spirited member of the logistics team for Miami Book Fair International at Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus.
"His appointment reflects the agency's continuing efforts to enhance the leadership of the organization and include key Miami-Dade and Broward community leaders to represent the two counties we serve," stated Dorothy Holmes, Ph.D., Chairperson, Board of Directors.
Care Resource is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, multi-cultural, community based AIDS Service Organization. "Through education, prevention, research, care & treatment and support services, Care Resource improves
The MAC AIDS Fund, the AIDS foundation founded by M·A·C Cosmetics, in 1994, has granted nearly a half-million dollars to four HIV/AIDS service groups to launch an initiative targeting people with AIDS over the age of 50.
Here’s the news release:
The MAC AIDS Fund announced today that it is granting a total of $475,000 to four AIDS service organizations to launch a collaborative effort to fight HIV/AIDS in people over the age of 50. The grants include $150,000 for the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA), $150,000 for Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), $150,000 for Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) and $25,000 for GRIOT Circle. Together, the four agencies will employ their respective areas of expertise – including education, advocacy, research, capacity building and direct services – to combat the alarming rates of infection among people over the age of 50.
“This visionary grant from the MAC AIDS Fund shows that no matter how challenging the economic environment might be these days, we can still find creative solutions to our most urgent issues when we partner together,” stated Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC.
The dramatic spike in infections among people over the age of 50 is of serious concern to AIDS service and LGBT aging organizations across the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported earlier this year that HIV infections among this age group increased by 25% between 2006 and 2007. In fact, according to a recent ACRIA study, within 5 to 7 years, more than 50% of all people living with HIV in the United States will be over the age of 50.
“The critical story behind this collaboration and this path-breaking grant from the MAC AIDS Fund is that we are finally starting to tackle a new reality: aging and HIV are inextricably linked, and our programs and strategies need to reflect that,” stated Michael Adams, Executive Director of SAGE. “As an organization that specifically serves and advocates for older people in one of the communities hardest hit by HIV, SAGE is especially proud of this collaborative and MAC AIDS’ support.”
Community response has been overwhelming enthusiastic. “As an older individual living with AIDS, I believe the range of proposed services will address the HIV/AIDS challenges for people over the age of 50 and impact the community in a very positive way,” said community leader Ed Shaw.
The collaboration seeks to improve health outcomes for people over the age of 50 by inserting aging issues into HIV/AIDS public policy at the federal, state and local levels. By bringing the unique HIV prevention needs of older adults into the conversation around health policy, the groups plan to ensure that people over the age of 50 receive adequate HIV prevention services. While all four groups are located in New York City, the collaboration is national in scope, and promises to produce positive outcomes that have enormous implications for HIV advocacy and prevention throughout the United States.
“These are the kinds of integrated partnerships and collaborations that leverage and maximize resources, exponentially increasing overall impact and really making a difference in both the policy and direct service front," said Nancy Mahon, Executive Director of the MAC AIDS Fund.
The bold show of support from the MAC AIDS Fund seeks to build on a previous collaboration between the four organizations, also funded by MAC AIDS, which took the first steps toward addressing the HIV/AIDS needs of this crucial demographic.
Some examples of the work accomplished during the original collaboration include a first-of-its-kind HIV social marketing campaign targeting older adults spearheaded by GMHC; a SAGE and GMHC collaboration to sponsor HIV testing days at SAGE’s Harlem site; the GMHC and ACRIA joint publication, Achieve; and HIV trainings at senior-serving organizations throughout New York City conducted by all four organizations.
ABOUT THE M·A·C AIDS FUND
The M·A·C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M·A·C Cosmetics, was established in 1994 to support men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. MAF is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working in underserved regions and with underserved populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical funder in the arena, MAF is committed to addressing the link between poverty and HIV/AIDS, by providing support to diverse organizations around the world that provide a wide range of services to people living with HIV/AIDS. To date, MAF has raised $139 million (U.S.) exclusively through the sale of M·A·C’s VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipglass, donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit www.macaidsfund.org.
SAGE is the world's oldest and largest non-profit agency dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older people. Since its inception, SAGE has pioneered programs and services for the aging LGBT community, provided technical assistance and training to expand opportunities for LGBT older people across the country, and provided a national voice on LGBT aging issues. In 2005 SAGE became the first official LGBT delegate at a White House Conference on Aging. In 2008, SAGE presented its Fourth National Conference on LGBT Aging, entitled "It's About Time" sponsored by AARP.
The Wellcome Trust, Great Britain’s largest charity, has released an interesting study concluding that many psychiatrists and therapists in that country still attempt to turn gay people straight. There is little evidence the therapy works or is safe, the report concludes.
Here’s the Wellcome Trust report:
Therapists still offering treatments for homosexuality despite lack of evidence
A significant minority of psychiatrists and therapists are still attempting to help lesbian, gay and bisexual clients become heterosexual despite lack of evidence that such treatment is beneficial or even safe, according to research funded by the Wellcome Trust.
The research, published today in the open access journal BMC Psychiatry, coincides with the launch of the website www.treatmentshomosexuality.org.uk. The website gathers together oral histories from lesbian, gay and bisexual people who have undergone treatment as well as from professionals who developed and conducted such treatments.
Researchers from UCL (University College London) and St George's, University of London, question over 1,400 mental health professionals on whether they would attempt to change a client's sexual orientation if requested. Although only one in twenty-five (4%) said that they would do so, one in six (17%) reported having assisted at least one client to reduce their gay or lesbian feelings, usually through therapy. Therapists were also asked in what year they had conducted such therapy and there was no sign of a decrease in recent times.
"There is very little evidence to show that attempting to treat a person's homosexual feelings is effective and in fact it can actually be harmful," says Professor Michael King from UCL. "So it is surprising that a significant minority of practitioners still offer this help to their clients."
Professor King and colleagues found that a number of reasons were given by the psychiatrists and therapists for offering assistance, ranging from the counsellor's own moral and religious views about homosexuality through to a desire to help patients who were stressed by discrimination. There was also a degree of ignorance about the lack of evidence surrounding such the efficacy of such therapies – in particular, that no randomised control trials have ever been conducted that show that the therapies are effective.
Comments from the counsellors who offered assistance included:
"Where someone had a strong faith, then working to help the person accept their feelings but manage them appropriately may be the best approach if [the] person felt they would lose God and therefore their life was not worth living.""The individuals I have worked with have all been very unhappy about their sexuality and wish they were heterosexual. This has been because of responses from friends, family and the local community – which outside London is still very homophobic."
"Children and young adults are more likely to be confused about their sexuality and to jump to conclusions (correct or otherwise) if unable to talk through their concerns."
"Although homosexual feelings are usual in people, their physical expression, and being a person's only way of having sexual relations is problematic. The physical act for male homosexuals is physically damaging and is the main reason in this country for AIDS/HIV. It is also perverse."
Professor King believes that it is important to raise awareness amongst both therapists and the wider public about homosexuality and its so-called treatments.
"The best approach is to help people adjust to their situation, to value them as people and show them that there is nothing whatever pathological about their sexual orientation," he says. "Both mental health practitioners and society at large must help them to confront prejudice in themselves and in others."
The researchers have launched a new website, www.treatmentshomosexuality.org.uk, which aims to help raise awareness and collect oral histories from both mental health practitioners and the people they have treated.
Commenting on the research, Derek Munn, Director of Public Affairs at the gay and lesbian equality organisation Stonewall, says: "So-called gay cure therapies are wholly discredited. The conclusions of this research are a welcome reminder that what lesbian and gay people need is equal treatment by society, not misguided treatment by a minority of health professionals."
From Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen:
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen met in Washington, DC with Brandon Macsata of the ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+) to discuss the Early Treatment of HIV Act (ETHA )which was introduced this week in the House by Representatives Eliot Engel, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. ETHA would allow states to extend Medicaid coverage to low income individuals with the HIV virus before it advances to full blown AIDS. Currently, lower income persons must first become disabled by AIDS before receiving Medicaid provided care and treatment, which could have prevented them from becoming seriously ill, and at which point treatment is far more expensive.
Brandon first visited with the Congresswoman in 2003, after he had moved to South Florida and became one of her constituents. In 2003, ETHA was first being considered in the House and at that time Brandon met with Ros-Lehtinen to express his support of the legislation as a person living with HIV/AIDS. During that meeting, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen “challenged” him to get more involved at the national level on HIV, and that is when he began talking to others about forming a national group to advocate for the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs).
The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides medications for the treatment of HIV disease. Program funds may also be used to purchase health insurance for eligible clients. Amendments to the Ryan White CARE Act in October 2000 added additional language allowing ADAP funds to be used to pay for services that enhance access, adherence, and monitoring of drug treatments. The program is funded through Title II of the CARE Act, which provides grants to States and Territories.
Statement from Human Rights Campaign on President Barack Obama's appointment of Jeffrey S. Crowley as head of the Office of National AIDS Policy:
WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today issued a statement on the selection of Jeffrey S. Crowley to head the Office of National AIDS Policy for President Barack Obama. Crowley, a Senior Research Scholar at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, will coordinate the federal government’s efforts on HIV/AIDS policy and will help guide the administration’s development of disability policies.
“The announcement of Jeffrey Crowley signals that HIV/AIDS issues will be an integral part of health care reform in the Obama Administration,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Throughout his campaign, President Obama called for the development of a bold national AIDS strategy. With Crowley’s leadership, we look forward to working with the Office of National AIDS Policy in setting an aggressive agenda to combat HIV/AIDS in our country.”
Crowley, who is openly gay, joined the Health Policy Institute in October 2000. Prior to his time at Georgetown, Mr. Crowley served as the Deputy Executive Director for Programs at the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), overseeing the organization’s public education, community development, and training activities.
The Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) is the White House Office tasked with coordinating the continuing efforts of the government to reduce the number of HIV infections across the United States. The office emphasizes prevention through wide-ranging education initiatives and also helps to coordinate the care and treatment of citizens with HIV/AIDS. The ONAP is part of the Executive Office of the President’s Domestic Policy Council (DPC).
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
News release from Care Resource, South Florida's largest AIDS service organization:
Care Resource announced today that George Castrataro, a Fort Lauderdale attorney, was appointed to Care Resource's Board of Directors. "George Castrataro's extensive background in HIV Law and public health make him a valuable asset to the agency," stated Rick Siclari, Executive Director,"I have worked with George for many years and his dedication and commitment to those affect by HIV/AIDS is clear and obvious."
Born in New York, George moved to Florida in 1992 where he pursued his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida, subsequently receiving a Masters Degree in Public Health. Following graduate school George worked extensively in the public health field both as a manager with the Florida Department of Health and later at the National American Red Cross in Washington, DC. While at the Red Cross, George oversaw operations for one of the largest national disease prevention programs in the country. George has published research and numerous scholarly articles in the areas of public health and infectious disease.
In 2001, George founded Non-Profit Capacity Builders, Inc (NPCB) and simultaneously pursued his Juris Doctorate at Florida International University. During NPCB's first year, it secured in excess of $2,000,000 in grant funding. After graduating law school, George accepted the role of Supervising Attorney for Legal Aid Service of Broward County, Inc. where he managed the Consumer and HIV Law section, and subsequently created the Human Rights section.
As an attorney, Mr. Castrataro is a nationally recognized expert in consumer law and foreclosure defense. His work in consumer law has been featured by the Associated Press, CBC Primetime News, and numerous local media sources. In 2007, he spear-headed the creation of a Blue-Ribbon Foreclosure Panel and co-chaired the panel with Broward County Mayor Lois Wexler. In 2008, George created the Law Offices of George Castrataro, PA where he provides legal services in a wide array of areas ranging from civil litigation, bankruptcy, discrimination, small business and health law.
"His appointment reflects the agency's continuing efforts to enhance the leadership of the organization and include key Miami-Dade and Broward community leaders to represent the two counties we serve," stated Dorothy Holmes, Board of Directors Chair. George resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Care Resource is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, multi-cultural, community based AIDS Service Organization. "Through education, prevention, research, care & treatment and support services, Care Resource improves upon the health and overall quality of life of our diverse South Florida communities in need."
From the Broward County Health Department:
Class open to the general public and professions whose certifications require certificate of training in HIV/AIDS.
BROWARD COUNTY – Broward County Health Department is offering a four hour HIV/AIDS 104 Training
Class on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, from 8:30AM to 12:30PM in the 2nd floor auditorium at the Fort Lauderdale Health Center. The Health Center is located at 2421 SW 6th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, 33315.
The HIV/AIDS 104 Training Class is recommended for persons in professions whose certification does not specify Continuing Education Units (CEU’s), but requires certificate of training in HIV/AIDS. The class provides the basics and fundamentals of HIV/AIDS and participants will receive information on the latest HIV medications, research and comprehensive HIV prevention. The class also provides information on national, regional and local statistics and discussions on evidenced based interventions. There is a $20 fee for those seeking certification (a certificate will be issued at the end of the class). If no certification is needed, attendance is free of charge, on a first come first served basis.
Participants are encouraged to register early. For more information, or to register call (954) 467-4955.
From the Mautner Project, a national lesbian health organization:
HALA MODDELMOG AND DEE DRAGAN TO BE HONORED, BETTY TO PERFORM AT MAUTNER PROJECT’S 19th ANNIVERSARY GALA
Mautner Recognizes Exceptional Leadership and Volunteerism for Lesbian Healthcare, Popular Music Group BETTY to Provide Entertainment
WASHINGTON – Mautner Project, the National Lesbian Health Organization, will present an “outstanding service to the lesbian community” award to Hala Moddelmog at its annual gala celebration event on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. With the Theme “BIG LOVE,” the Mautner Project will celebrate and honor lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) health supporters from a variety of fields. The evening event also includes a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, an elegant seated dinner and live entertainment that will feature the music group - BETTY.
Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, will receive the 2009 Healing Works Award in recognition of Komen’s support for Mautner’s programs that educate LBT women about the need for early cancer detection and other health measures.
“Under Ms. Moddelmog’s leadership, it’s clear that Susan G. Komen for the Cure really ‘gets it’: they understand the unique health issues – including problems with access – faced by the LBT community and have worked closely with us to help educate our community about the importance of early detection and treatment of cancer,” said Leslie Calman, Executive Director of Mautner Project.
In addition, Dee Dragan will be given the Volunteer of the Year Award for her dedication to the Mautner Project. She has been an avid supporter of the organization’s mission and an outstanding asset to Mautner in many areas - among them client services and Mautner’s Annual Gala.
In a special live performance BETTY, a five-piece pop rock alternative band from New York City, will have attendees “rockin’” in the aisles. Fronted by three women, the band's unique sound is based on the intricate harmonies of songwriters Amy Ziff, Alyson Palmer and Elizabeth Ziff. BETTY’s song “The Way that We Live” is the theme music for Showtime’s hit show “The L Word." The group has also produced songs for other networks such as HBO, Lifetime, Nickelodeon.
The Gala will also feature the return of the “BIG DANCE,” with DC’s own DJ JFX (jame’ foks). Award-winning DJ JFX’s unique blend of high energy riffs and originality has been heard in party scenes throughout the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.
Gala tickets can be purchased online at www.mautnerproject.org/events/Gala/index.html or by calling 202.332.5536 ($200 each). Attendees can ask to be seated at a “Red Hot Singles” table and $125 tickets for people 30 and under are available. A sell-out crowd is expected. For details or to donate to the auction, purchase an ad, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact gala@mautnerproject.org.
###
About Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization: Mautner Project is the national lesbian health organization and its mission is to improve the health and wellness of lesbians and women who partner with women through advocacy, education, direct services, and research. To obtain information, or learn more about Mautner Project, call 202-332-5536 or visit www.mautnerproject.org.
By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk
A sociologist at an Iranian university has presented a new study that shows high levels of homosexual experiences among the country's population.
Iran has strict laws against sex outside marriage and other sexual acts such as masturbation. Adultery and same-sex acts are punishable by death.
Startling new research from sociologist Parvaneh Abdul Maleki found that 24% of Iranian women and 16% of Iranian men have had at least one homosexual experience.
73% of men and 26% of women surveyed said they had masturbated.
Ms Maleki presented her findings at the Third Conference on Well-being in the Family and the story has been reported in the Iranian press, albeit as a report on sexual deviance in need of treatment.
